A group of Boston taxi drivers is suing the city, saying officials have violated their rights by allowing the likes of Uber and Lyft to operate without licenses.

Drivers are demanding damages and more oversight in a suit filed against the city of Boston at a federal court in the city.

Drivers Raphael Ophir and Joseph Pierre, as well as industry group the Boston Taxi Owners Association launched the action.

Unconstitutional? Taxi drivers in Boston say the regulatory set-up that exists now violates the 14th amendment, which guarantees equal treatment under the law (file photo)

According to the Boston Globe, they complain that while they have to buy expensive taxi medallions for their cars, Uber drivers do not.

Taxi drivers say this violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal treatment under the law, because it applies different rules to similar services.

The suit said: 'The City has . . . permitted the de facto taxi companies to flout the law with open impunity by deploying an invasion of unlicensed cars and drivers with no requirement of any medallion.'

Uber has historically responded to such complaints by saying it is a technology company which connects riders and customers, rather than directly providing transportation.

A city spokeswoman said officials hadn't received the complaint Friday and officials will review it. A city advisory commission has been examining the regulations.